Abstract: Based on the theory of indentation hardness measurement,this paper investigates the indentation process of metal materials under different load by finite element method.It reveals the stress distribution around the indentation.The calculated hardness HB values coincide with the measured value.Specimens with different hardness are investigated for the effects of parameters of indent(ation) to the stress distribution.Results show that the loads affect the depth of indentation,height of pile-up,size of elastic recovery and plastic zone.The increasing degrees are related to the hardness of the materials.The hardness and the plastic area around the indentation are increasing and tending toward stable with the increasing of load.